Method of and means for providing loose-leaf catalogue or file leaves with hinges



1941- H. D. RALSTQN ETAL 2,252,202 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 1.5 Sheets-Sheet l A 1941- H. D. RALSTON ETAL 5 ,202

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE 0R FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 15 Sheets-Sheet'Z Aug. 12, 1941. H. D. RALSTON ETAL 2,252,202

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES l5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 30, 1938 1941- H.'D. RALSTON ETAL 2,252,202

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE'LEAF CATALOGUE QR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 1941- H. D. RALSTON ETAL 2,252,202

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE 0R FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 1- H. D. RALSTON AL ,20

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING OSE-LEAF CATALOGUE 0R FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES I Filed March so, 1958 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 12, 1941. H.- .R STON ETAL METHOD OF AND MEAN OR OVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES 7 Filed March 30, 1958 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 l C o o 135 65 o O o 140 141 I a 109 o 138 0 o O o o O Q Will/l g- 1941- H. D. RALSTION ETAL 2 m 0 2 e e 2 h 5 S w W 26 e 0 e METHOD OF-AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF 0 0R FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Flled March 30 1938 Aug. 12, 1941. H. D. RALSTON ETAL 0 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSELEAF CATALOGUE I OH FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 l5 Sheets-Sheet ll a ffi 5L 512 557 329 277 E 67 '9 31% M 329 I 1 W '24 A I -31? 1 w I O i I 245 323 3 m l I 319 T I 315 I 3 14y filwjwmw 634 y 1941- H. D. RALSTON ETAL 2,252,202

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE'LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES' Filed March 30, 1938 l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 -?66 338 -Lrlei Aug. 12, 1941. v H. D. RALSTON ETAL 52,202 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Filed March 30, 1938 Aug. 12 1941.

H. D. RALSTON ETAL 2,252,202 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES l5 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed March-30, 1938 H. D. RALSTON- El AL METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OR FILE LEAVES WITH HINGES Flled March 30 1938 15 Sheets-Sh 15 nunl N P-l? Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNITED METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR'PROVIDING v LOOSE-LEAF CATALOGUE OB FILE LEAVES wrrn HINGES Hurley p. Ralston and om Felix, Chicago, n1., assignors to Sears, Roebuck and 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application March so, 1938, Serial No. 198,978

44 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel method of and means for providing loose-leaf catalogue or file leaves with hinges to permit mounting of the leaves swingably upon supporting rods or pintles such as shown in our copending application Serial operation of the power driving means when the strip of material comes to an end.

No. 165,004, filed September 22, 1937, now Patent No. 2,138,848 issued December 6, 1938.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel method of and means for producing the hinges efliciently and inexpensively.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a method and means which will avoid handling of the hinges after they are formed,

by affixing-the hinges directly onto the margins of the catalogue or file leaves at the time of the hinge forming operation. 7

Another object resides in the provision of a """'"novel method of and apparatus for rapidly feeding, positioning and applying hinges to a succession of leaves.

Another object is to provide a machine having a novel leaf magazine and mechanism adapted for feeding the leaves from the magazine oneby-one into position to be hinged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having leaf-feeding and hinge applying mechanisms, and means controlled at least in part by the leaves to correlate the operation of such mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the present character having a vnovel leaf counting assembly, the operation of which is governed by the leaves to be counted.

Another object is to provide a leaf-hlnging machine'including novel means for positioning the successive leaves to be hinged in predetermined relation tothe hinge aflixing means, and means operatively correlated with the positioning-means for stacking the leaves after they have been hinged.

Another object of the invention is to provide-a novel hingeforming and applying machine of the foregoing general character having driving means by which all moving parts are actuated in timed sequence in a rapid, continuous, operating cycle.

Another object is to provide a novel driving means of this character which may be either manually or power actuated selectively, and which embodies safety means for preventing accidental power actuation during manual actuation.

' Another object of the invention resides in the provision, in a machine of this character wherein the hinges are formed from a continuous strip of suitable material, of means for halting Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 'is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the the machine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away to show the control means for the leaf counting mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view .taken approximately on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing the leaf alining means in detail.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view'of the machine.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary elevational view partially in section taken substantially in the plane of line 1-'I of Fig. 1 to show the control switch of the machine and the automatic shutoff mechanism therefor.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view looking in the direction of piane'line 88 of Fig. 7 with parts broken away to show the control switch mechanism. a

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the upper portion of the machine, with certain parts broken away to show the leaf magazine and the leaf feeding mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view partially in section, .looking toward the right side of Fig. 9 and showing the driving clutch. means of the leaf feeding mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along line ll--ll of Fig. 10 to show the said driving and clutch means in greater detail.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially in the plane of line Il -H of Fig. 11 and showsthe tooth face of the clutch gear.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along line l2--l2 of Fig. 9 to show details of the adjusting means for the leaf-feeding rolls.

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along line l3-l3 of Fig. 9 to show the leaf actuated feed controlling means.

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view similar to Fig. 13 butshowing certain parts in different operative positions.

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail view taken subleft side of stantially along line lS-IS of Fig. 9 to show how a fed leaf passes the actuating device of the feed controlling device.

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail view in elevation taken substantially along line i6-l6 of Fig. 9 to show the operation-controlling cam for the leaf stops and the restacker.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line II-I'l of Fig. 16 and shows the devices operated by said operationcontrolling cam as seen from the front of the machine.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along line l8-l8 of Fig. 17 looking downwardly into the leaf chute and showing the leaf stops and the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line l9-I9' of Fig. 6 to show the details of the transmission of the driving mechanism.

Fig. ,20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 20-20 of Fig. 19 to show the power drive shaft and its associated safety rod and also the cam disk for the actuating bar of the hinge-forming mechanism.

Fig. 21 is a sectional top plan view of the hinge forming unit taken along line 2l-2l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 22 is a front elevational view of the hinge forming unit.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 23-23 of Fig. 21 and shows the arbor carrier as well .as the actuating means for the hinge former.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken in the plane of line 24-24 of Fig. 23 to bring out certain details of the arbor head and its mount.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 25-25 of Fig. 21 to show the punch and die mechanism.

Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 26-26 of Fig. 22 through the reciprocating carriage for the ribbon feeding finger and arbor actuator.

Fig. 27 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 21-21 of Fig. 21 through the ribbon guide.

Fig. 28 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 28-28 of Fig. 25 through the punch head.

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the ribbon feeding and arbor actuating mechanism, and having certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration.

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to Fig. 29 but showing the ribbon feeding and arbor actuating mechanism in a dilferent operative position.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along line 3I-3l of Fig. 23 showing the hinge-forming mechanism in the position assumed before actuation thereof through a forming cycle.

Fig. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 32-32 of Fig. .23 and showing successive preliminary steps in the hinge-forming action of the forming mechanism.

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken in the same plane as Fig. 32 but showing the hinge former in the position assumed thereby when the hinge is nearly completed.

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken in the same plane as Figs. 32 and 33 and showing the hinge former in the position assumed thereby as the hinge is finished.

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional perspective view of the forming end of the form ing block or table. 1

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 36-36 of Fig. 31 to show the ribbon cut-off means.

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a hinged catalogue or file leaf.

Fig. 38 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, showing a hinge produced according to the present invention, and a pintle to receive the hinge.

Fig. 39 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 39-39 of Fig. 38 through the hinge.

Fig. 40 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along line 40-40 of Fig. 2 to show the restacking means of the machine.

Fig. 41 is a fragmental sectional elevational, view taken substantially along line 4I4l of Fig. 40 and shows the leaf kick-outs.

Fig. 42 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 42-42 of Fig. 41 to show the operating pawl and ratchet mechanisms for the kick-outs.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, we have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail, a preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that we do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, the novel method of providing loose-leaf catalogue or file leaves with hinges includes the steps of properly positioning successively a series of leaves to be hinged, forming and applying the hinges, and stacking the hinged leaves. To practice these steps of the method as well as certain desirable additional steps, a novel self-feeding machine is provided wherein the leaves to be hinged are placed as a stack into a magazine and are consecutively fed therefrom to a forming mechanism where hinges are produced and applied to selected margins of the leaves as a continuous operation. After being hinged, the leaves are automatically restacked. A record is kept automatically of the total number of leaves that are hinged. Moreover, all of the operations performed by the machine are perferably correlated to take place in timed sequence in a continuous operating cycle.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for making and aflixing hinges 50, of the type shown in Figs. 38 and 39, to the margin of a leaf 5| (Fig. 37). Such leaf may, for example, be in the form of a suitably dimensicned, thin manila card adapted for use in an upright catalogue or file of the kind described in our copending application Serial No. 165,004 filed September 22, 1937, now Patent No. 2,138,848. There are, of course, other types of leaves for a variety of uses which may be hinged in accordance with this invention. Among the devices in which such leaves may be used may be mentioned albums, sorting devices, special files and indexes, and the like.

In the present instance, each of the hinges 50 includes a sleeve-like yoke 52 which is of suitable internal diameter to receive an annular support- .magazine 62 for receiving a stack of the leaves ing rod or pintle 53. The yoke 52 connects the ends of a pair of elongated flat legs 54 which clamp the selected margin of the leaf 5| therebetween and are secured together in clamping relation to themargin of the leaf by 8. prong 55- (Fig. 39). The prong is struck. inwardly from the inner end portion of one of the legs 54 and passes through the leaf and through an aperture General description of the machine As shown generally in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine is constructed upon a suitable upright base or framework 59 which includes lower connecting bars 50. Carried by the upper part of this framework is a main supporting member or bed Mounted upon the bed 6| is a hopper or to be hinged. From the magazine the leaves 5| are consecutively fed by suitable mechanism, indicated generally at 63, downwardly into an appropriately alined vertical sli-deway or chute 64 (see also Figs. 10 and 12). At an intermediate point in their passage through the chute 84, the

. leaves 5| are halted by suitable stop means, in-

ing device 69. Actuation of the machine is efr,

fected in a continuous operating cycle by a suitable power source acting through drive mechanism which is indicated generally at 10.

Leaf magazine construction In the magazine 62, (Figs. 1, 6, 10 and 12) the leaves 5| are supported vertically on edge and face forwardly so that the foremost leaf of the stack may be fed downwardly directly into the mouth of the chute 64. For this purpose, the leaves 5| rest edgewise upon forwardly inclined, parallel supporting bars 1| which are mounted by means of suitable anchor bars or rods 12 between the lower end portions of a pair of vertical side plates 13 and 14. The latter are supported by a pair of spaced vertical standards 15 and 11, respectively, which are bolted to the upper face Iof the main bed BI.

A curved pusher arm 18 (Figs. 2, 6 and 10) bears against the rear of the stack of leaves 5| to urge the leaves forwardly against retaining 'means including a plurality of spaced, parallel vertical bars 19 which are supported for vertical adjustment by crossbars 80 attached at their ends to the side plates 13 and 14. The pusher arm 18 may be pivotally mounted at its outer end upon an upright pivot pin 8| on a bracket 82 secured to the side plate 14. A spring 83 maintains the pusher arm 18 under resilient tension.

. 3 Leaf feeding mechanism At their forward ends, the'leaf supporting bars 1| (Figs. 9, 10, Hand 12) of the magazine a:

areconstructed to coact'with the peripheries of suitable rubber-tired feed rollers 84 which form of the leaf feeding mechanism 53. This arrdngement is such that the leaves 5| will b Yieldingly gripped and positively fed consecutively pa-st thegforward edges of the-inclined leaf supporting bars 1| into the chute 84.

In order to permit accurate adjustment of the feed rollers 84 relative to the coacting ends of the leaf supporting bars 1|, the rollers are mounted upon a shaft 85 which is journaled at its opposite ends in a pair of rocker brackets 81.

' These brackets are pivotally supported by a shaft 88 (Fig. 9). The ends of the shaft 88 are mounted in parallel, forwardly projecting bearing bosses 09 upon the standards 15 and 11. One of the rocker brackets 81 has a longitudinally projecting, flattened tongue 90 (Fig. 12)

which is apertured to receive thereduced shank portion 9| of a headed adjustment screw 92. The end of the reduced shank portion 9| is threaded into a suitable bore 93 near the upper forward end of the associated standard, herein the standard 11. A compression spring 94presses the tongue 90 against the end of the largerdiameter portion of the screw 92 and creates a frictional tension for maintaining any adjusted position of the adjustment screw. Thus, adjustment of the'feed rollers 84 toward or away from axially slidable hub I02.

the coacting ends of the leaf supporting bars 1| screw 92.

The feed roller shaft is driven through the medium of suitable clutch mechanism, indicated generally at (Figs..9, 10 and ll) from a drive shaft 91. As shown, a sprocket 98 on the drive shaft 91 actuates a sprocket chain 99 which engages a driven sprocket I00 mounted upon a stud shaft IOI and is retained thereon by a collar I0I The stud shaft is fixedly secured near the upper end of the standard 11. Coaxially mounted between the outer end of the stud shaft |0| and the collar |0| is a freely rotatable and Clutch pins I03 rigid with the hub I02 project slidably through the sprocket I00 and a spacer plate I'04. These pins are adapted to engage with an annular series of clutch teeth I05 formed on the adjacent face of an idler gear I06 which is also carried by the stud shaft |0| (Figs. 11 and 11).

The idler gear I06 meshes with a transmission gear I01 which is mounted upon the end of the pivot shaft 88, A pinion I08 rigid with the feed roller shaft 85 meshes with the transmission gear I01. Thus, when the clutch pins I03 are in engagement with the clutch teeth I05, power is transmitted by the sprocket chain 99 through the chain of gears and p-inions I00, I06, I01 and I08 to drive the feed roller shaft 85.

Rotation of the feed roller shaft 85'is also utilized to drive a pair of agitator wheels I09 (Figs. 9 and 10). The wheels are preferably non-circular and are mounted upon the ends of a carrying shaft I09 to project peripherally into engagement with the stack of leaves 5| in the leaf magazine 52. Suitable bearings I09 support the shaft I09 and are secured to two outer ones of the front bars 19 of the leaf magazine.

A driving connection between the agitator shaft I09 and the feed roller shaft 85 is effected by a sprocket chain I09 running over a sprocket anism 85 and. the kick-out mechanism 88, the

clutch mechanism (Figs, 1, 9 and 11) is operatively controlled foreffecting engagement and disengagement of the clutch pins I03 and the clutch teeth I in timed sequence. To this end, the clutch is provided with means such as a substantially spectacle-shaped actuator I'I'0 for sliding the hub I02 axially upon the stud shaft The actuator I I0 includes upper and lower annular rims III and H2, respectively, connected by a web I I2 The rim III coaxially surrounds the hub I02 and is connected thereto by means of radial pins H3 which ride in a circumferential groove H4 in the hub.

By connecting the web H2 (Figs. 9 and 11) pivotally to a suitable supporting bracket H5 as by means of a pin H'I, it is possible by swinging the rim H2 to and fro in an axial direction to actuate the rim III for sliding the hub I02 longitudinally of the stud shaft l0I and thus move the pins I03 into clutching or declutching relation to the clutch teeth I05; Such-axial movement of the rim H2 is effected herein by an axially movable shaft H8 'which is journaled in the standards 15 and 11 in adjacent, spaced parallel relation to the drive shaft 91. A collar H9 is rigidly connected to the clutch end of the shaft H8 and extends substantially concentrically through the rim H2. Connecting pins I20 are threaded radially through the rim H2 to ride in an annular groove I2I in the collar H9.

A driven gear I22 fast upon the shaft H8 meshes with a driving pinion I23 on the drive shaft 91. Coaxial with the shaft I I8 between the face of the driven pinion I22 and the opposite face -of the lower portion of the magazine side plate 14 is a compression spring I24 which normally urges the shaft H8 axially toward the right as seen in Fig. 11 or toward the left as seen in Fig. 9. Thus, under the influence of the spring I24, the shaft H8 will hold the clutch actuator H0 in the declutching position, as indicated in full outline in Fig. 9 and in broken outline in Fig. 11.

Rigidly secured to the driven shaft H8 and to the drive shaft 91 is a pair'of similar, intermittently coactive cam members I25 and I21, respectively Each of these cam members is provided with a projecting nose portion I28 which has a cam face I29 disposed to enter into engagement with the cam face of the other cam member. These cam members I25 and I2! are so relatively located that the cam faces I29 will collide at regularly timed intervals in the rotation of the shafts 91 and H8 and force the driven shaft I I8 axially in opposition to the'compression spring I24 a sufficient distance to shift the clutch actuator H0 into clutching position as indicated in the full line position in Fig. 11 and in broken outline in Figs. 1 and 9. In the present instance it has been found desirable to effect engagement between the cam members I25 and I2! once in every four revolutions of the drive shaft 91, govemed by a four to one ratio between the pinion: I23 and I22, respectively.

Since in the present instance the cam members I25 and I21 are in engagement for only a short interval suflicient to initiate operation of the clutch, means should be provided for maintaining the clutch in the operative condition until one of the leaves 5| shall have-been fed entirely from the magazine 62. Such means may include a pivoted latch arm I30 which is in the form of an eccentric lever secured by a pivot pin I3I to an ear I32 at the upper end of the standard 11 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11). The outer or shorter end of the latch arm I30 has a depending heel I33 which in the inoperative condition of the clutch rides upon the upper face of a latch finger I34 extending rigidly horizontally from the clutch rim I I I. In the operative condition of the clutch, the inner edge of the heel I33 hooks over the outer face of the latch finger I34, and thus holds the clutch member I I0 against the pressure of the spring I24 until released by pivoting the latch arm I30.

In the operation of the-machine it is important that the clutch mechanism be released instantly to stop the feed rollers 84 after the leaf 5i has been fed to the delivery chute 84. Means is accordingly provided which will hold the latch arm I30 in balance during the operative condition of the clutch mechanism, but which will cause the inner and heavier end of the latch arm to overbalance for releasing the heel I33 from the latch finger I34 after the leaf 5| has been fed to the chute. Herein the inner end of the latch arm I30 (Figs. 9, l3, and 14) coacts with novel trigger mechanism, which includes a rest I35 underlying said inner end. The rest I35 projects forwardly from and is suitably pivotally supported at its rear'end on a horizontal clined diagonal cam slot I in the rest I 35. The

cam slot 1 is of such length and pitch that when the upper end of the trigger arm I38 moves rearwardly, the pin I40 rides up the slot to cause the rest I35 to swing down and drop the inner, heavier end of the latch arm I30.

Appropriate trigger-conditioning means such as an adjustably tensioned compression spring I42 normally tends to urge the upper end of the trigger arm I 38 forwardly. As a result, the pin I40 will tend to cam toward the lower end of the slot I4I, to swing the rest I35 to its horizontal position. The spring I42 is so adjusted that it just maintains a balanced relationship of the parts during operation of the clutch and will be overcome by only relatively slight force in additionto the weight of the rest I35 and the arm I30.

Means actuated by the fed leaves 5I themselves is provided for periodically springing the trigger mechanism, that is, for pivoting the trigger arm I38 to drop the rest I 35 .and overbalance the latch arm I30. In the present instance this means includes a trigger-release spur wheel I43 having a plurality of equally spaced, identical spurs I44. The spur wheel I 43 is rotatably mounted within a vertical slot I44 in the lower part of the supporting means I31 and in the piv- .the spurs I44 to kick against a peaked cam heel I45 near the lower end of the trigger arm I38 and pivot the trigger arm. As each spur wheel kicks the trigger arm over, the leaf-feeding mechanism 68 will come to a halt, and the edge of the leaf which caused the halt will remain adjacent to the spur I44 which is engaged in effecting this result.

A complete cycle of operation of the trigger mechanism may be described thus: Assume that the clutch 95 has just been actuated by clashing of the cams I25 and I21 to cause axial shifting of the shaft H8 and thereby pivoting of the actuator II to throw the clutch pins I03 into engagement with the clutch teeth I05 whereby to start the feeding operation. The leaf 5| next to be fed will start from the position indicated in the full outline in Fig. 13 and move pastthe spur wheel I43. As the leaf advances, its for.- ward edge slides past the spur I44 which it previously engaged in releasing the clutch. Simultaneously the next succeeding spur is advanced slightly and presses against the face of the leaf, the leaf flexing slightly at the center to clear the two spurs (full outline positions of Figs. 14 and 15). a

As soon as the trailing end of the leaf 5| passes the uppermost of the contacting spurs I44, the latter receives the advancing edge of the following leaf 5| which pushes thereagainst to rotate the spur wheel I43 and urgethe spur I44 nearest the cam heel I45 thereagainst (broken outline Fig. 13) with sufficient force to "overcome the tension of the spring I42. This pivots the trigger arm I38, cams the rest I35 down and drops the inner eccentric end of the latch arm I30, thus raising the outer short end thereof and releasing the heel I33 from the latch finger I34 to release the clutch mechanism (full line positions Leaf chute Herein, the chute 64 which receives the leaves 5| as they are fed from the magazine 62 comprises an open-work frame which is suspended below the magazine (Figs. 1, 2, 15 and 18). Such frame includes side bars I41 and I48 which are rabbeted at their upper ends to engage the lower edges of the magazine side plates 13 and 14, respectively, substantially in continuation of the inner face planes of the latter. Connecting the side frame bars I41 and I48 are a plurality of spaced, parallel, horizontal pairs of front and rear connecting bars I49 and I50, respectively. Supported by the connecting bars are front and rear series of opposed vertical guide bars I5I which, in the present instance, are of L-shaped cross section and provide a suflicient space therebetween to afford substantial clearance for the free passage of a leaf. The upper ends of the guide bars I5I are preferably tapered or rounded to form the mouth of the chute.

The side bar I48 is interrupted intermediate its ends by a cut-away portion providing an opening I48 (Figs. 1, and 2) in the chute to accommodate the hinge forming and applying mechanism 61. Moreover, the lower portion of the side bar I48 is spaced from the opposite side frame bar I41 slightly more than between the upper portions of these bars so as to provide sufficient clearance for the passage of the leaves .51 after the same have been provided with the hinges 50. At their lower ends, the side frame bars I41 and I48 are anchored to the restacking mechanism 68, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Leaf stop mechanism gin of each leaf in position to receive the hinges 50 from the hinge forming and applying mechanism 61 at one or more intermediate points of such margin. As best seen in Figs. 1, 2 3, and 18, the stop mechanism in the present instance comprises a. pair of upper and lower stop arms I52 and I53. Each of the stop arms has a stop platform. I54 in the shape of a flat flange which projects into the chute 64 at about the longitudinal center thereof. i

The stop arnis I52 and I53 are preferably mounted so thatthe stop platforms I54 will project into the chute from opposite sides. Furthermore, the stops are operated alternately so that the leaves 5I will be brought toa halt twice in the course of their passage longitudinally of the chute, in predetermined positions relative to the hinge forming and applying mechanism 61. To this end the upper stop arm I52 is located in back of the chute 64 so that the stop flange I54 thereof will project forwardly toward the chute 64- and the lower stop arm I53 is located in front of the chute with the stop flange I54 thereof projecting rearwardly toward the chute (Fig. 18) Moreover, the stop flanges I54 are so relatively positioned that in one position of the stops relative to the chute neither of them will be in obstructing relation to the passage within the chute.

An operating support for the stop arms I52 and I53 is provided by a rotatable, vertical operating rod I55 to which they are adjustably secured. This rod is journaled in spaced upper and lower bearing blocks I51 and I58 mounted upon the side frame bar I41 of the chute 64. At its upper end the rod I 55 passes through a thrust bearing member I59 which rests upon the upper journal block I51 (Fig. 17). A winged set screw I60 is threaded into thethrust bearing I59 and is adapted to engage in any selected one of a IN in the operating rod I55. In this manner the-stop arms I52 and I53 may be adjustably located vertically with respect to the chute 64 by selection of the appropriate screw pit I6I when securing the rod I55 and the thrust. bearing I59 together. This is of importance where it may become desirable from time to time to change the points at which the hinges 50 are. to be applied to the margins of the leaves 5I. An example is where several sets of leaves to be hinged will ultimately be interleaved and mounted by groups with the hinges 50 in staggered relation upon common pintles. Such an arrangement is disclosed in our aforementioned copending application Serial No. 165,004. Moreover, the spacing between the hinges of each leaf may be adjusted to suit by regulating the spacing between the stop arms I52 and I53.

In the operation of the machine, the stop operating rod I55 is alternately rotated in opposite directions to carry first one and then the other 

